Becoming a Self-Employed Professional: Flexibility and Simplicity to Start Your Business

 

The auto-entrepreneur status offers great flexibility and simplicity for starting an independent professional activity. It allows you to manage your business autonomously, with the freedom to choose your clients, working hours, and rates*. Administrative procedures are simplified, enabling you to easily declare your business and income through a fast and accessible online system.

 

This streamlined tax and social security regime also allows you to contribute to retirement and social security while benefiting from reduced social charges, calculated solely on the revenue generated. Additionally, self-employed professionals can offer services eligible for tax credits, a valuable advantage for their clients. Finally, this status is ideal for testing a business idea or supplementing income, avoiding the constraints of traditional legal structures.

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Limitations of the Auto-Entrepreneur Status

 

Despite its advantages, the auto-entrepreneur status has some limitations that are important to consider.

 

First, revenue is capped, which can hinder growth in the event of significant expansion. For example, for service activities, the annual revenue cap is approximately €39,100. Beyond this threshold, being subject to VAT complicates administrative management.

 

Moreover, social and tax contributions are calculated on gross revenue, even in the absence of profit. This can be a heavy burden in cases of low profitability. Additionally, social protection is less comprehensive than that of employees, particularly concerning insurance and retirement benefits, and self-employed individuals are not entitled to unemployment benefits if they cease operations.

 

Finally, self-employed professionals are fully liable in case of disputes or professional issues, often requiring specific insurance policies, which increase costs.

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A Status Suited for Starting Out or Operating on a Small Scale

 

The auto-entrepreneur status is perfectly suited for starting or running a small-scale business. However, for projects requiring high revenues or complete social protection, it may prove limited and less suitable in the long term.